Blue Ridge Bank Teaches Tweens Financial Literacy

Online educational world of “MoneyIsland” is free to families and teachers

Released: July 31, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—Blue Ridge Bank announces the launch of MoneyIsland™, an educational and entertaining online world—created by master teachers to align with national standards—that engages and instructs children ages eight to 14 in three financial areas: Saving & Spending, Earning & Investing and Using Credit Wisely.

Kids go on adventurous quests to exotic destinations while learning financial lessons along the way. Meanwhile, parents and teachers can track their progress and assist in the learning experience. To explore MoneyIsland, go to mybrb.moneyisland.com.

“A recent survey found that 45 percent of high school seniors say they aren’t ready to manage their money. As an active member of the Charlottesville community, we have a responsibility to educate kids about money management,” says Monte Layman, CEO of Blue Ridge Bank, which recently opened a new branch on Route 29 North. “Offering MoneyIsland helps parents and teachers address an important challenge for our children and instill lifelong financial literacy lessons.”

Financial literacy is at an all-time low in the United States, which means many children are not receiving the knowledge and skills needed for a successful future. Research by American Express shows that 91 percent of parents are interested in providing a better financial education for their kids, but they need a solution that imparts the right lessons in an engaging way. That’s where Blue Ridge Bank can help with MoneyIsland.

MoneyIsland is a virtual world for kids that not only makes learning fun, but also tracks and encourages the development of their financial literacy. During imaginary journeys to destinations like the Eiffel Tower and Atlantis, they learn real-life principles of monetary responsibility. Rewards such as a $10 initial savings account deposit and MoneyIsland gear are built into the game.

The teacher-created, real-world MoneyIsland curriculum has been successfully piloted by public schools in Iowa and Texas. Lesson plans—aligned with the national standards published by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and National Coalition of Teachers of Mathematics—employ a hands-on approach that works in tandem with the online experience.

“We are tremendously excited to have the ability to share MoneyIsland with our communities,” says Layman. “It embodies our commitment to making a difference in the financial education of our youth.”

About Blue Ridge Bank

Chartered in Luray in 1893 as The Page Valley Bank of Virginia, today Blue Ridge Bank has branches in Shenandoah, McGaheysville and Charlottesville, Va. and ATMs throughout the region. A locally owned, independent community bank, Blue Ridge Bank provides a wide range of financial services with an emphasis on quality, ethics and superb customer service. Visit mybrb.com for additional information.